How 'Angry Young Men' Scripts The Story Of Salim-Javed |
The Prime Video documentary is a visceral deep-dive into the pop culture impact of two brave outsiders who clawed their way into the Hindi film industry and changed everything, writes Swetha Ramakrishnan |
NAMRATA RAO’s documentary, Angry Young Men: The Salim-Javed Story, which is a coup in many ways — mostly, the coming together of two legendary screenwriters whose breakup was as famous as their movies — has a heartwarming moment in the first episode that is bound to make you weep, even if you’re not a fan of the movies. In it, Javed Akhtar talks about his struggle days before he became a screenwriter in Hindi cinema. He had moved to Mumbai (then Bombay) all by himself, with no roof over his head, he wandered around the city finding work in the day, and places to sleep at night. He would go hungry for consecutive days, but was determined to make it and refused to go back to his hometown. As he recounts this phase, he tears up very evidently, and doesn’t try to mask his emotions. He tells the camera he can never get over that feeling. Now, when he is successful, accomplished and on “the wrong side of his 70s”, sometimes he feels like an imposter in 5-star hotels, eating fancy breakfasts. “I don’t think I deserve it,” he says, lips quivering. Lover of documentaries or feature film fan — we've got you covered! Subscribe to the OTTplay Premium Jhakaas monthly pack, for only Rs 249. This is Javed Akhtar we’re talking about, who with Salim Khan created the iconic “Angry Young Man” trope in the 1970s. They’re arguably the most successful writer-duo of mainstream Indian cinema. The dichotomy between their brand of work (testosterone and formula-driven) and the vulnerability with which Namrata Rao frames them in Angry Young Men, is the most special bit about the documentary. Divided into three episodes of 45 minutes each, Angry Young Men is a visceral deep-dive into the pop-cultural impact of these two brave outsiders who clawed their way into the Hindi film industry and changed everything. |
The Space Explorers' Club |
As NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore's unscheduled stay on the International Space Station continues, these docus will deepen your understanding of journeys beyond Earth |
SINCE 5 JUNE 2024, the fate of NASA astronauts 'Butch' Wilmore and 'Suni' Williams, stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with the craft that got them there (a Boeing Starliner), has had the world holding its breath. As their eight-day mission has stretched to over two months, interest in the conditions on the ISS, daily life in outer space, and the wonders of the universe itself, have occupied the minds of many around the globe.
While the Williams-Wilmore situation may make for a crackling Hollywood thriller someday, the realities of extra-terrestrial travel are often more complex than we see in films. Docubay offers a range of documentaries which throw light on various aspects of space travel and exploration, featuring scientists, researchers and astronauts talking about the real deal, armed with first-hand experience. Here's a lowdown on some titles that illuminate crucial aspects of the journey beyond Earth: MUSK VS BEZOS Agnès Hubschman’s documentary explores the intense rivalry between two of the world’s most famous billionaires in the realm of space travel and exploration. Tesla's Elon Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezos are locked in a fierce competition, with their respective ventures SpaceX and Blue Origin vying for dominance in the US space industry. Musk vs Bezos also looks beyond the billionaires' battle; it highlights how their rivalry is impacting the world at a geopolitical level. Despite being marketed as a means to “save humanity” their space missions have far-reaching implications affecting international relations and global security. Stream it here. MY NEW MOON SUIT In what could be called a perfect example of experiential filmmaking, director Jeff Thrasher tests one of NASA's highly advanced spacesuits designed for the Artemis lunar missions. Primarily shot in Canada’s Devon Island in the far north, often referred to as one of the harshest places on this planet, this short documentary focuses on Thrasher and his rigorous process of evaluating this new-concept spacesuit designed for the ISS, the moon and even Mars. The filmmaker documents his intense experience of being inside a new Collins Aerospace spacesuit – lighter than previous versions and equipped with a new augmented reality (AR) control system – and navigating through Arctic temperatures and terrain quite similar to that on the moon. Watch it now. INSIDE NASA'S INNOVATION This three-episode docu-series digs deeper into various scientific collaborations with NASA behind some of the world’s most advanced technology in the field of space exploration. The first episode features NASA’s Ames Research Centre based in California’s Silicon Valley, where NASA scientists, engineers and researchers work on some of NASA’s pathbreaking technologies such as micro-gravity robots and lunar planning among others. The second episode is a take on NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory managed by the California Institute of Technology and explores some of its primary projects such as the planetary robotic spacecraft, laser communication systems, spacecraft navigation innovation and NASA’s Deep Space Network. The third episode highlights the operation of Goddard Space Flight Centre and its several research areas including Earth, the solar system and the universe in general. It also sheds light on NASA’s robotic systems and resources and how they are employed to dig deeper and unravel the mysteries of outer space. Stream it here. |
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